Ministry of Defense: One Ukrainian soldier killed, two wounded, another sustains combat injuries

Russia-backed militants were delivering intense aimed attacks using Minsk-proscribed weapons against ATO troops’ positions all day long yesterday. One Ukrainian soldier was killed as a result of a hostile shelling near Shakhta Butovka position. “Two Ukrainian troops were wounded in hostile attacks near Luhanske and Krymske. Another soldier sustained combat injuries. All casualties were promptly evacuated to medical institutions,” reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. In total, militants committed 19 ceasefire violations. Ukrainian troops returned in 13 cases.

In Luhansk sector, Russian proxies delivered 13 aimed attacks. “The enemy fired ten120-mm mortar rounds against our strongholds near Krymske at night. Moreover, during the day militants attacked our positions there three times using hand-held grenade launchers and small arms,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. ATO troops’ positions near Triokhizbenka and Katerynivka came under aimed fire of hostile 82-mm mortars. Moreover, the enemy periodically attacked these positions using IFV weapons, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Militants used the same weapons repeatedly to attack Ukrainian positions near Zaitseve, Luhanske, and Novooleksandrivka. “Ukrainian troops responded with adequate fire using weapons not proscribed under Minsk agreements,” said the spokesman.

In Mariupol sector, Russia-backed militants conducted six aimed attacks against Ukrainian troops. “The enemy used IFV weapons and 120-mm and 82-mm mortars to attacks ATO positions near Pavlopil having fired a total of 10 mortar rounds,” elaborated Col. Motuzyanyk.